James Freestone
@jamofree.bsky.social
Arsenal | Oasis | Music | Vinyl | Beer | Whiskey | Gin
Reposted by James Freestone
Premier League Simulation - 2025-11-26
I am not comfortable with the numbers here, maybe I don't have the mettle to be a favorite or maybe I am worried of being called a homer. I haven't done anything here to put my thumb on the scale, if I were (I am not) I would be pushing it down, not up😂
I am not comfortable with the numbers here, maybe I don't have the mettle to be a favorite or maybe I am worried of being called a homer. I haven't done anything here to put my thumb on the scale, if I were (I am not) I would be pushing it down, not up😂
November 26, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Premier League Simulation - 2025-11-26
I am not comfortable with the numbers here, maybe I don't have the mettle to be a favorite or maybe I am worried of being called a homer. I haven't done anything here to put my thumb on the scale, if I were (I am not) I would be pushing it down, not up😂
I am not comfortable with the numbers here, maybe I don't have the mettle to be a favorite or maybe I am worried of being called a homer. I haven't done anything here to put my thumb on the scale, if I were (I am not) I would be pushing it down, not up😂
Reposted by James Freestone
The real BBC bias story, narrated by Anna Ford
November 19, 2025 at 12:12 PM
The real BBC bias story, narrated by Anna Ford
Reposted by James Freestone
Ladies and gentlemen, Sir Robbie Gibb, the BBC Board Member with the impartiality remit
November 11, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Ladies and gentlemen, Sir Robbie Gibb, the BBC Board Member with the impartiality remit
Reposted by James Freestone
Background to yesterday's violence is this banner unfurled by Maccabi Tel Aviv fans on Tuesday evening. Hapoel Tel Aviv supporters (traditionally left-wing and strongly anti-Netanyahu) were angered at what they saw as Maccabi supporters comparing them to Hamas. www.ynetnews.com/sport/articl...
Families outraged as fans equate rivals with Hamas in Tel Aviv soccer derby
A banner at Maccabi Tel Aviv’s match sparked fury after linking Hamas with Hapoel Tel Aviv and Germany’s St. Pauli; Bereaved families called it offensive to victims of Oct. 7, saying it dishonored the...
www.ynetnews.com
October 20, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Background to yesterday's violence is this banner unfurled by Maccabi Tel Aviv fans on Tuesday evening. Hapoel Tel Aviv supporters (traditionally left-wing and strongly anti-Netanyahu) were angered at what they saw as Maccabi supporters comparing them to Hamas. www.ynetnews.com/sport/articl...
Reposted by James Freestone
⚠️WARNING⚠️
Nine Datacentres coming to Wales by 2030
Data Centres: One Big Headache
All part of Keir Starmer's AI Growth Zones launch back in Jan 2025.
Are the people of Caerphilly aware that Caerphilly County Borough, sits in a deregulated Investment Zone within the Cardiff Capital Region?
Thread
Nine Datacentres coming to Wales by 2030
Data Centres: One Big Headache
All part of Keir Starmer's AI Growth Zones launch back in Jan 2025.
Are the people of Caerphilly aware that Caerphilly County Borough, sits in a deregulated Investment Zone within the Cardiff Capital Region?
Thread
October 18, 2025 at 8:29 AM
⚠️WARNING⚠️
Nine Datacentres coming to Wales by 2030
Data Centres: One Big Headache
All part of Keir Starmer's AI Growth Zones launch back in Jan 2025.
Are the people of Caerphilly aware that Caerphilly County Borough, sits in a deregulated Investment Zone within the Cardiff Capital Region?
Thread
Nine Datacentres coming to Wales by 2030
Data Centres: One Big Headache
All part of Keir Starmer's AI Growth Zones launch back in Jan 2025.
Are the people of Caerphilly aware that Caerphilly County Borough, sits in a deregulated Investment Zone within the Cardiff Capital Region?
Thread
Reposted by James Freestone
31-year-old David Noutch, white British has been charged with racially aggravated assault, threatening with a bladed article in a public place and assault by beating.
It was a White man attacking Non-White people.
Where is the apology from this hateful racist?
It was a White man attacking Non-White people.
Where is the apology from this hateful racist?
October 11, 2025 at 6:38 PM
31-year-old David Noutch, white British has been charged with racially aggravated assault, threatening with a bladed article in a public place and assault by beating.
It was a White man attacking Non-White people.
Where is the apology from this hateful racist?
It was a White man attacking Non-White people.
Where is the apology from this hateful racist?
Reposted by James Freestone
The picture of Farage with the T shirt from Gill’s briber’s wife, taken the day Gill appears her Pro Russian TV channel, is taken in Gill’s office
Farage on Gill and Pro Russian media bribes” I told him not to go. He defied me and went. I was completely unaware of any statements that he made."
Farage with pro Russian media (and wife of briber) on the day Gill made his statements in 2018
Farage with pro Russian media (and wife of briber) on the day Gill made his statements in 2018
October 10, 2025 at 5:06 PM
The picture of Farage with the T shirt from Gill’s briber’s wife, taken the day Gill appears her Pro Russian TV channel, is taken in Gill’s office
Reposted by James Freestone
🔴NEW🔴
Thread 🧵
@bylinetimes.bsky.social can now reveal that, during the crucial period when convicted Reform leader Nathan Gill was most active, working directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s most senior ally in Ukraine, he was also one of Nigel Farage’s closest confidantes 1/12
Thread 🧵
@bylinetimes.bsky.social can now reveal that, during the crucial period when convicted Reform leader Nathan Gill was most active, working directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s most senior ally in Ukraine, he was also one of Nigel Farage’s closest confidantes 1/12
‘Thick as Thieves’: Nathan Gill and Nigel Farage’s Putin Problem
Far from being distant from the Reform UK Leader, insiders told Byline Times that the former MEP convicted of bribery was one of Farage’s closest aides, while we reveal how Gill worked on the Kremlin’...
bylinetimes.com
October 4, 2025 at 1:56 PM
🔴NEW🔴
Thread 🧵
@bylinetimes.bsky.social can now reveal that, during the crucial period when convicted Reform leader Nathan Gill was most active, working directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s most senior ally in Ukraine, he was also one of Nigel Farage’s closest confidantes 1/12
Thread 🧵
@bylinetimes.bsky.social can now reveal that, during the crucial period when convicted Reform leader Nathan Gill was most active, working directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s most senior ally in Ukraine, he was also one of Nigel Farage’s closest confidantes 1/12
Reposted by James Freestone
Two very important graphs.
Net migration reached record levels in 2023 - and has since halved.
The vast majority of arrivals comprises students and workers.
Arrivals in small boats and asylum seekers - less than 5%.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Net migration reached record levels in 2023 - and has since halved.
The vast majority of arrivals comprises students and workers.
Arrivals in small boats and asylum seekers - less than 5%.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
September 14, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Two very important graphs.
Net migration reached record levels in 2023 - and has since halved.
The vast majority of arrivals comprises students and workers.
Arrivals in small boats and asylum seekers - less than 5%.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Net migration reached record levels in 2023 - and has since halved.
The vast majority of arrivals comprises students and workers.
Arrivals in small boats and asylum seekers - less than 5%.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by James Freestone
They are attacking the Police again, at the 'peaceful march'.
Imagine if Pro Palestine supporters did this (they never do), they would all be instantly in jail.
Imagine if Pro Palestine supporters did this (they never do), they would all be instantly in jail.
September 13, 2025 at 3:39 PM
They are attacking the Police again, at the 'peaceful march'.
Imagine if Pro Palestine supporters did this (they never do), they would all be instantly in jail.
Imagine if Pro Palestine supporters did this (they never do), they would all be instantly in jail.
Reposted by James Freestone
Another American Idiot, from team Trump, pushing a stupid narrative about fossil fuels. They are the cause of high prices not the answer. These peeps should stay out of our biz, in my view.
buff.ly/2WuCr6N
buff.ly/2WuCr6N
September 14, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Another American Idiot, from team Trump, pushing a stupid narrative about fossil fuels. They are the cause of high prices not the answer. These peeps should stay out of our biz, in my view.
buff.ly/2WuCr6N
buff.ly/2WuCr6N
Reposted by James Freestone
Still the best explanation of Russian tactics and the difficulty of deterrence.
From: Yes, Prime Minister.
From: Yes, Prime Minister.
September 11, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Still the best explanation of Russian tactics and the difficulty of deterrence.
From: Yes, Prime Minister.
From: Yes, Prime Minister.
Reposted by James Freestone
Nigel Farage just repeatedly denied – under oath! – to @raskin.house.gov
ever banning journalists he doesn’t like from his party’s conventions.
This happened to me *literally today*.
ever banning journalists he doesn’t like from his party’s conventions.
This happened to me *literally today*.
Nigel Farage is about to give evidence to the US Congress on threats to free speech in the UK.
So here's one for him: Reform UK has just banned me (and @thenewworldmag.bsky.social) from attending its party conference this weekend. www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-w...
So here's one for him: Reform UK has just banned me (and @thenewworldmag.bsky.social) from attending its party conference this weekend. www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-w...
Chicken Farage bans The New World
It claims to be the party of free speech, but this last-minute decision to stop me attending tells a very different story
www.thenewworld.co.uk
September 3, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Nigel Farage just repeatedly denied – under oath! – to @raskin.house.gov
ever banning journalists he doesn’t like from his party’s conventions.
This happened to me *literally today*.
ever banning journalists he doesn’t like from his party’s conventions.
This happened to me *literally today*.
Reposted by James Freestone
I admire Mo Salah's restraint.
"Farewell". Really?
Suleiman al-Obeid was killed by the IDF as he was queuing for food in Gaza. Say it, you cowards.
"Farewell". Really?
Suleiman al-Obeid was killed by the IDF as he was queuing for food in Gaza. Say it, you cowards.
August 9, 2025 at 5:27 PM
I admire Mo Salah's restraint.
"Farewell". Really?
Suleiman al-Obeid was killed by the IDF as he was queuing for food in Gaza. Say it, you cowards.
"Farewell". Really?
Suleiman al-Obeid was killed by the IDF as he was queuing for food in Gaza. Say it, you cowards.
Reposted by James Freestone
Crazy just got crazier: Botafogo (owner: John Textor) wants Lyon (owner: John Textor) to pay them €65m to compensate for the sale of players (like Luiz Henrique) at less than their actual value. (Via the excellent @cafefutbol.bsky.social, a recommended follow).
www.abola.pt/noticias/bot...
www.abola.pt/noticias/bot...
Botafogo exige quase €65 milhões ao Lyon por «transferências desvantajosas»
Clube brasileiro afirma que vendeu Luiz Henrique, Igor Jesus e Jair em «condições favoráveis» e não cobrou dinheiro pela cedência de Thiago Almada para ajudar os franceses
www.abola.pt
August 5, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Crazy just got crazier: Botafogo (owner: John Textor) wants Lyon (owner: John Textor) to pay them €65m to compensate for the sale of players (like Luiz Henrique) at less than their actual value. (Via the excellent @cafefutbol.bsky.social, a recommended follow).
www.abola.pt/noticias/bot...
www.abola.pt/noticias/bot...
Reposted by James Freestone
How much does the UK spend on welfare?
🇪🇺 Relatively little compared to Europe: just 10.8% of GDP in 2023 (including sickness & disability benefits, pensions, etc.).
Meanwhile, 🇫🇮Finland spends 25.7% of GDP & 🇫🇷France 23.8%.
#ChartOfTheDay #Welfare
🇪🇺 Relatively little compared to Europe: just 10.8% of GDP in 2023 (including sickness & disability benefits, pensions, etc.).
Meanwhile, 🇫🇮Finland spends 25.7% of GDP & 🇫🇷France 23.8%.
#ChartOfTheDay #Welfare
July 1, 2025 at 2:01 PM
How much does the UK spend on welfare?
🇪🇺 Relatively little compared to Europe: just 10.8% of GDP in 2023 (including sickness & disability benefits, pensions, etc.).
Meanwhile, 🇫🇮Finland spends 25.7% of GDP & 🇫🇷France 23.8%.
#ChartOfTheDay #Welfare
🇪🇺 Relatively little compared to Europe: just 10.8% of GDP in 2023 (including sickness & disability benefits, pensions, etc.).
Meanwhile, 🇫🇮Finland spends 25.7% of GDP & 🇫🇷France 23.8%.
#ChartOfTheDay #Welfare
Reposted by James Freestone
After 3 years of being unable to name Thomas Partey as the PL star under investigation for alleged rapes, we now can as he’s been charged with 6 offences against 3 women between 2021 & 2022. The previous issue was privacy; now we must be wary of prejudicing the trial.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/647...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/647...
Thomas Partey, former Arsenal midfielder, charged with rape, sexual assault
The 32-year-old previously could not be named for legal reasons.
www.nytimes.com
July 4, 2025 at 2:11 PM
After 3 years of being unable to name Thomas Partey as the PL star under investigation for alleged rapes, we now can as he’s been charged with 6 offences against 3 women between 2021 & 2022. The previous issue was privacy; now we must be wary of prejudicing the trial.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/647...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/647...
Reposted by James Freestone
Before 2008, there had only been one treble from the "big five" leagues in 53 years.
There have now been seven in 17 years
Not a coincidence this was rise of the super club amid an economic crash, to go with multiple other forces...
bsky.app/profile/migu...
There have now been seven in 17 years
Not a coincidence this was rise of the super club amid an economic crash, to go with multiple other forces...
bsky.app/profile/migu...
My book, ‘States of Play’, is out now.
It is really a modern history of football, and how it has been transformed by three main forces: geopolitics, especially autocratic states; a very western capitalism; the game’s own greed and failures of authority
geni.us/StatesOfPlay
It is really a modern history of football, and how it has been transformed by three main forces: geopolitics, especially autocratic states; a very western capitalism; the game’s own greed and failures of authority
geni.us/StatesOfPlay
States of Play: How Sportswashing Took Over Football
Pre-order your copy today:
geni.us
June 1, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Before 2008, there had only been one treble from the "big five" leagues in 53 years.
There have now been seven in 17 years
Not a coincidence this was rise of the super club amid an economic crash, to go with multiple other forces...
bsky.app/profile/migu...
There have now been seven in 17 years
Not a coincidence this was rise of the super club amid an economic crash, to go with multiple other forces...
bsky.app/profile/migu...
Reposted by James Freestone
Lindsey Hilsum, "Did you see Israeli soldiers killing people who might have been civilians?" #C4News
Former Israeli reserve Officer Yotam Vilk, "People who were unarmed were shot.. Because their lives didn't matter that much"
"It's a war crime, unethical, against modern humanitarian law"
Former Israeli reserve Officer Yotam Vilk, "People who were unarmed were shot.. Because their lives didn't matter that much"
"It's a war crime, unethical, against modern humanitarian law"
May 27, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Lindsey Hilsum, "Did you see Israeli soldiers killing people who might have been civilians?" #C4News
Former Israeli reserve Officer Yotam Vilk, "People who were unarmed were shot.. Because their lives didn't matter that much"
"It's a war crime, unethical, against modern humanitarian law"
Former Israeli reserve Officer Yotam Vilk, "People who were unarmed were shot.. Because their lives didn't matter that much"
"It's a war crime, unethical, against modern humanitarian law"
Reposted by James Freestone
Starmer's Britain.
Not even subtle.
Not even subtle.
May 12, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Starmer's Britain.
Not even subtle.
Not even subtle.
Reposted by James Freestone
“Despite all of these arrivals there are still 131,000 vacancies in care. The sector say there is no way they can fill these jobs with British workers”
The care sector is already on its knees and the government knows it
The care sector is already on its knees and the government knows it
May 12, 2025 at 8:01 PM
“Despite all of these arrivals there are still 131,000 vacancies in care. The sector say there is no way they can fill these jobs with British workers”
The care sector is already on its knees and the government knows it
The care sector is already on its knees and the government knows it
Reposted by James Freestone
2025: Paul Brand from ITV News explains how immigration shot up after we took back control of our borders with Brexit
2019: Boris Johnson says that immigration numbers will come down because Brexit allows us to lower migration
2019: Boris Johnson says that immigration numbers will come down because Brexit allows us to lower migration
May 12, 2025 at 8:18 PM
2025: Paul Brand from ITV News explains how immigration shot up after we took back control of our borders with Brexit
2019: Boris Johnson says that immigration numbers will come down because Brexit allows us to lower migration
2019: Boris Johnson says that immigration numbers will come down because Brexit allows us to lower migration
Reposted by James Freestone
Major Donor to Reform U.K. Party Sold Parts Used In Weapons to Russian Supplier.
Sold almost $2m worth of transmitters, cockpit equipment, antennas and other sensitive technology to a major supplier of Moscow’s blacklisted state weapons agency.
archive.ph/BTca8
Sold almost $2m worth of transmitters, cockpit equipment, antennas and other sensitive technology to a major supplier of Moscow’s blacklisted state weapons agency.
archive.ph/BTca8
Major Donor to Reform U.K. Party Sold Parts Used In Weapons to Russian Supplier
The aerospace company H.R. Smith Group was an early backer of the party after Nigel Farage became leader. Reform has faced criticism over comments seen as supporting Moscow.
www.nytimes.com
April 1, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Major Donor to Reform U.K. Party Sold Parts Used In Weapons to Russian Supplier.
Sold almost $2m worth of transmitters, cockpit equipment, antennas and other sensitive technology to a major supplier of Moscow’s blacklisted state weapons agency.
archive.ph/BTca8
Sold almost $2m worth of transmitters, cockpit equipment, antennas and other sensitive technology to a major supplier of Moscow’s blacklisted state weapons agency.
archive.ph/BTca8
Reposted by James Freestone
I am truly terrified for Hamdan. If you don’t know who Hamdan Ballal is, he is the director of No Other Land and he and Yuval both won the Oscar for Best Documentary this year
March 24, 2025 at 6:29 PM
I am truly terrified for Hamdan. If you don’t know who Hamdan Ballal is, he is the director of No Other Land and he and Yuval both won the Oscar for Best Documentary this year
Reposted by James Freestone
Israeli settlers beat up one of the Palestinian co-directors of the Oscar-winning film “No Other Land” in the occupied West Bank on Monday, and he was then detained by the Israeli military, activists on the scene said.
Oscar-winning Palestinian director is attacked by Jewish settlers and detained, activists say
Activists say Israeli settlers beat up one of the Palestinian co-directors of the Oscar-winning film “No Other Land” in the occupied West Bank, and he was then detained by the Israeli military.
bit.ly
March 24, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Israeli settlers beat up one of the Palestinian co-directors of the Oscar-winning film “No Other Land” in the occupied West Bank on Monday, and he was then detained by the Israeli military, activists on the scene said.